New Zealand have made three changes for the third test against South Africa at Soccer City on ⁠Saturday, including dropping experienced hooker Codie Taylor.

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has made a single, injury-enforced change to his matchday 23 for the third test in the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand at ⁠the 94,500-seater Soccer City in Johannesburg on Saturday.

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi marked his return from injury with a try as the hosts edged New Zealand 33-26 in a tense second test on Saturday, levelling the four-match Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series at 1-1.

Beth Buttimer haunted Leinster once again as Munster held off their rivals to retain their Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship at Dexcom Stadium.

Follow our minute by minute coverage of the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship final between Munster and Leinster at Dexcom Stadium in Galway

Ulster saved their best performance for last as they picked up their first win of this year's Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship, scoring five tries in a comprehensive 29-10 win against Connacht in the third-place play-off at Dexcom Stadium.

Leinster, Munster and Connacht all began their pre-season campaigns with defeats in France, although their first outings of the summer were against sides who are all bracing for their first Pro14 outings next week.

Neil Treacy looks ahead to this afternoon's Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship final, defending champions Munster take on Leinster at Dexcom Stadium in Galway.

Munster and Leinster have both made two changes apiece for tomorrow's Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship final in Galway.

South Africa have made two late changes to their team ahead of Saturday's second Test against New Zealand in Cape Town, with Rassie Erasmus drafting Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Cheslin Kolbe back into his team.

In what is a blow for Munster and Ireland ahead of the new season, out-half Jack Crowley is expected to be sidelined until early 2027 as he continues to recover from the effects of a lower limb vascular injury.

Leinster Rugby has confirmed that second row Alan Spicer remains a member of the province's academy for this season, but he has been disciplined internally after appearing in court charged with assaulting a woman earlier this year.

Leinster chief executive Shane Nolan says the process to appoint a new head coach is well underway, but he would not comment on any potential candidates, including Ronan O'Gara.

Leinster have learned their lesson ahead of their rematch with Munster in the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship final on Saturday, according to head coach Sana Govender.

Munster head coach Matt Brown believes Ireland's upcoming WXV Global Series will add an extra pinch of spice to Saturday's Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Series final against Leinster in Galway.

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand has named a settled 36-player training squad ahead of the upcoming WXV Global series, with seven uncapped players included in the group.

Rassie Erasmus has responded to Saturday's heavy defeat to New Zealand by making potentially four changes to his side ahead of this weekend's second Test in Cape Town.

An already-qualified Munster will move on to the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship final in unbeaten form following a 47-12 win away to Connacht.

New Zealand overcame a tough physical challenge to outscore hosts South Africa five tries to one and win the first test 33-16 at Ellis Park on Saturday to go one-up in the four-match series.

Wexford pair Robyn O'Connor and Katie Whelan amassed eight tries between them in Belfast as Leinster routed Ulster 75-5 to advance to the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship final.

Hundreds of claims against rugby's governing bodies from players who allege they suffered brain injuries during their careers can continue to trial, the London High Court has ruled.

The Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship heads down the home straight this weekend with three teams still in with a shot of securing a place in the final.

Debut tries from Stacey Flood and Niamh Murphy helped Leinster to overcome Connacht 36-21 for their opening Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship win.

Munster were merciless in their pursuit of tries as they crushed Ulster 62-0 to qualify for the final on 29 August.

Australia prop Taniela Tupou with a brace of tries and his replacement Massimo De Lutiis also touching down on his debut as the Wallabies thrashed ⁠Japan 56-17 in Townsville on Saturday to sweep the two-match series.

Ireland prop Linda Djougang is the most high-profile returnee named on the Ireland's centrally contracted players list for the 2026/27 season.

Ulster welcome back captain India Daley for tomorrow's Vodafone Interprovincial clash against Munster.

Leinster head coach Sana Govender hands four players their provincial debut for Saturday's Vodafone Interprovincial Championship clash with Connacht at Energia Park.

Former Ireland out-half Ian Madigan has weighed in on Leinster's search for a new head coach, but admitted that it is unlikely we see Ronan O'Gara in the hot seat.

Brian Smith, who represented Ireland and Australia at test level and was later attack coach for England, has ⁠died from cancer at the age of 59.

Round two of the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship takes place on Saturday as Munster go in search of a spot in the final with a game to spare, while Leinster and Connacht battle it out in a defacto semi-final clash.

Ulster and Ireland second-row Iain Henderson has been ruled out for the start of the 2026/27 season after undergoing surgery on a hip injury during the summer, the province confirmed.

Ireland internationals Anna McGann and Méabh Deely made the difference for Connacht in a tight 15-10 victory over Ulster at Affidea Stadium.

Beth Buttimer starred with four tries as Munster handed Leinster a 39-19 beating on the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship's opening day.

Former rugby league star Brian Carney is confident the Irish sporting public will embrace next year's historic Super League fixtures at the RDS.

The Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Series open the curtains on the domestic rugby season this weekend, with a host of returning internationals set to battle it out in the Irish women's game's flagship tournament.

Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors will make history next year when they contest the first-ever Super League fixture to be played in Ireland.

Scottish Rugby Union chief executive Alex Williamson has been sacked following an internal investigation into his conduct.

The Welsh Rugby Union is to go ahead with plans to cut the number of professional franchises from four to three, spelling the end for either the Ospreys or Scarlets.

Ulster Rugby has confirmed the appointment of former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt as a coach development officer with the province.

Former Leinster and Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt is reported to be on his way back to Ireland to take on a consultancy role with Ulster this upcoming pre-season.

Former Leinster and Ireland winger James Lowe has signed for Japanese franchise Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath.

Australia coach Les Kiss will "look far and wide" for talent and not hesitate to select overseas-based ⁠players if they give the Wallabies the best chance of winning, signalling a pragmatic approach as he begins his tenure in the build-up to the World Cup.

World Rugby and England and Wales' governing bodies have sought to throw out nearly 380 former rugby union players' lawsuits over neurological injuries.

Neil Treacy is joined by Jonny Holland on the final RTÉ Rugby podcast of the season, as we recap Ireland's Nations Championship tour, and their 40-21 defeat to New Zealand.

The All Blacks simply blew Andy Farrell's side away with their physicality in the contact area, writes Jonny Holland.

Ben Earl has called for a rethink of the Nations Championship format following England's "brutal" itinerary that featured three Tests in three continents on successive weekends.

Andy Farrell has put down six seasons in charge of Ireland, but none of the previous five have had such a disparity between the highs and the lows.

Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi accused England of showing a "lack of respect" after storming out of his press conference following the Pumas' 31-24 defeat in Santiago del Estero.

Pretty early on at Eden Park, you got the feeling it was going to be one of those nights on Saturday.